Cape Town – The Western Cape Department of Health has expressed its shock over an incident in which a nursing student was attacked.

The first-year nursing student was abducted outside Tygerberg Hospital and sexually assaulted by unknown men on Tuesday night.

The student was released and received medical treatment at Karl Bremer Hospital’s Thuthuzela Care Centre, with counselling afforded as well, the department said on Friday.

Health MEC Dr Nomafrench Mbombo visited the student yesterday and voiced her shock over such a brutal attack.

"The department condemns these horrific attacks on our students and is working with SAPS around the circumstances of these attacks," she said.

Professor Karien Jooste, of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, said: "On behalf of the Department of Nursing Science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, I express our deepest concern about the safety of woman in our country.

"We as the Nursing Department are deeply touched and affected by the incident that happened to an innocent student.

"She is a precious individual who serves the wellbeing of the community and she needs the respect she deserves from others.

"The department has visited her and will be a partner in walking the healing path with her."